Space radar spots weakness in tunnels

Spin-off opportunities of advanced space technologies for the mining and minerals industry will be the focus of a workshop in ESTEC, The Netherlands on 26 November 2003, when ESA's Technology Transfer and Promotion Office will meet with industrial partners.

Topics to be discussed will be:

• What can the space industry do for mining and minerals processing?
• What can the mining and minerals industry do for space or in space?

“Mining operations and robotics are extremely fertile fields for space technology and ESA transferred technology on robotics control has been a key factor to improve productivity and safety of mining operations,” says Pierre Brisson, Head of ESA Technology Transfer and Promotion Office. “With this workshop we want to encourage crossover of technology between these industrial sectors with the emphasis on space technology transfer and target future cooperation.”

Space spin-off for tunnel boring machines

Numerous space technologies are already used operationally in mining. Ground penetration radar developed for space exploration has successfully been used in Canada to detect cracks in mine walls and roofs preventing collapse of mine drifts Additionally it is anticipated that drilling devices and techniques developed for recent ESA space missions have potential applications for the mining sector.

The workshop is organised by ESA’s Technology Transfer and Promotion Office in conjunction with the European Mineral Resource RTD Council (EMiReC) and with the support of the Thematic Network on European Sustainable Mining and Processing Industries (NESMI).

European and Canadian companies in the two industrial sectors are invited to participate in the workshop. They may have an interesting technology with potential for the other sector or in space exploitation – or they may be looking for an innovative solution which a technology from space could help resolve.

In addition, the workshop will offer the opportunity for participants to join the Industry Space Days at ESTEC and the possibility for face-to-face meetings with the space industry for possible cross-over fertilization of innovative technologies and industrial solutions. On Wednesday 26 November, participants will also have the opportunity to attend exhibition of a number of specific space technology developments.

For more information please consult the “Space Technologies and the Mining & Minerals Industry Workshop Programme” or contact:
Susanne Marek
Technology Transfer and Promotion Office
European Space Agency - ESTEC
PO Box 299
2200 AG Noordwijk, The Netherlands
E-mail: susanne.marek@esa.int
Tel: +31 (0)71 565 5732
Fax: +31 (0)71 565 6635
Dr. David Raitt
Senior Technology Transfer Officer
Technology Transfer and Promotion Office
European Space Agency - ESTEC
PO Box 299
2200 AG Noordwijk, The Netherlands
E-mail: david.raitt.marek@esa.int
Tel: +31 (0)71 565 3017
Fax: +31 (0)71 565 6635